YPSILANTI, Mich. – A police chase in Washtenaw County ended in a fatal shooting early Tuesday after the suspect allegedly pointed a shotgun at deputies, authorities said.
The incident began around 2 a.m. when Washtenaw County sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop a white van in Ypsilanti for driving without license plates or headlights. The driver refused to stop, initiating a pursuit.
“We did call for emergency first responders to come to the scene to render aid. Unfortunately, the driver is deceased,” Commander Eugene Rush said.
During the chase, the suspect drove the wrong way on a one-way street before the pursuit ended in a crash with a deputy’s cruiser near Washtenaw County Human Services Center and the Villa at Parkridge Nursing Home at Prospect and Towner.
Deputies said the suspect was armed with a shotgun, leading to the shooting. The van’s roof showed multiple bullet holes after the incident.
“Anytime you have a traumatic incident, especially with somebody that is pointing a firearm at you, the adrenaline for everybody goes up,” Rush said.
According to the sheriff’s department, there were no passengers in the van.
Michigan State Police has taken over the investigation and blocked off the street until 4:30 p.m. Tuesday while processing the scene.